Munster Academy youngster Tomas Quinlan kicked Cork Constitution to victory for the second round running as they saw off Ballynahinch 32-23 at sunny Temple Hill on Saturday afternoon.
Tomas Quinlan, the 20-year-old out-half, converted first half tries from Darragh Lyons and James Murphy and booted six penalties to take his haul for this season's Ulster Bank League to 83 points.
Bottom side Ballynahinch had Ulster duo Sam Windsor and Paul Rowley starting together at half-back for the first time, and the former making a promising early break in the lead up to a Chris Quinn penalty from 30 metres out.
Following up on good work from centre Robin Harte, Ireland Sevens international Aaron Cairns then cut through for a fifth minute try to make it 8-0 and continue the visitors' encouraging start on a bright autumnal day on Leeside.
However, Cork Con gradually got to grips with the Ulstermen. Quinlan, their match winner from last time out against Clontarf, landed three penalty efforts to one from Quinn, and he then converted a late Lyons try for a 16-11 half-time lead.
Quinlan's third penalty goal came after Ballynahinch full-back Manihera Eden was yellow carded for tackling the man without the ball, as Con winger Rob Jermyn launched a kick chase.
Worse followed for the County Down outfit when the hosts gobbled up the restart and Murphy and Liam O'Connell combined to send the experienced Lyons breaking through for his try from 30 metres out.
A 42nd-minute converted try from busy flanker Murphy was the ideal start to the second period for Con, with backs and forwards combining to great effect in the build-up. Jermyn, in particular, made good ground towards the left corner.
Rowley and Cork Con prop Rory Burke were sin-binned in the 49th minute, with the penalty going the way of Brian Hickey's men as the assured Quinlan opened up a 26-11 advantage.
Quinlan's reliable left boot kept the scoreboard ticking over. Cairns was unfortunate to spill the ball short of the try-line and Constitution countered downfield, reaching the 'Hinch 22 for Quinlan to tap over another three points with 62 minutes on the clock.
However, 'Hinch managed to outscore their hosts on try count with Kyle McCall and Harte both getting over in the closing stages. Prop McCall crashed over by the posts in the 72nd minute with Windsor adding the extras.
Derek Suffern's charges gained further momentum as their talented back-line clicked into gear and Harte finished off impressively in the corner. Windsor missed the difficult conversion at 29-23, but it was still all to play for.
Nonetheless, that man Quinlan steadied the ship for Constitution with his final penalty goal of a very entertaining tussle. Another late comeback nid fell short for 'Hinch, who were hugely disappointed to emerge pointless from the game.
Referee: Lloyd Linton (SRU)
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